Rising need drives Eden Lodge back-to-school aid to $459K

August 20, 2026

The growing needs of Barbadian families requiring assistance to send their children to school have pushed the Eden Lodge Youth Charitable Trust’s back-to-school programme to more than $459 000 this year, an increase of 23.8 per cent over 2025, the charity revealed on Wednesday.

Trust head Dwayne Grazette made the disclosure during a handing-over ceremony of school supplies to families at Cloister Bookstore on Hincks Street.

Dwayne Grazette Eden Lodge Youth Charitable Trust – President & Chief Executive Officer. (Photo Credit: Lourianne Graham / Barbados TODAY)

The need for assistance was greater this year, particularly as some charitable organisations were not providing their usual back-to-school programmes, Grazette said.

The Trust is supporting 669 vulnerable students attending 84 schools across Barbados from nursery to secondary level, as well as 65 children transitioning to secondary school, he said. The assistance includes uniforms, textbooks, backpacks, school shoes, games shoes, stationery, art supplies, educational fees and other essential items.

Students encouraged to read as they receive their textbooks from Cloister Bookstore. (Photo Credit: Lourianne Graham / Barbados TODAY)

Students returning to school would receive one to two uniforms, while those entering secondary school would receive two to three.

Grazette said: “This year’s programme is projected to cost over $459 000, approximately 23.8 per cent more than 2025. The need is even greater this year, and particularly as the Salvation Army and some other organisations are not providing their back-to-school programmes. Requests have not only come from parents and guardians, but from the principals, guidance counsellors, even the average man on the street asking for assistance for a person that they know that’s in need.”

Grazette highlighted the circumstances affecting families and their ability to provide for their children.

“Many families that are affected by unemployment, illness, lower income, some of these children may have lost not one but both parents. Others have parents who are seriously ill, incarcerated or otherwise unable to care for them. We must never look down on a family because of their needs. None of us knows what tomorrow may bring.”

He stressed that the core principle of the Trust’s mission was simple: “No child should be denied an education because his or her family cannot afford a uniform.”

Grazette expressed gratitude to the organisations supporting the programme as well as the Government.

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Adrian Forde underscored that the programme was not simply about money, but about giving young people knowledge and opportunities to see beyond their immediate circumstances.

“This crisis exercise of being able to imbue our young people with knowledge goes far beyond any financial development. It is the ability to create global leaders. Like this young gentleman here before me. It is the ability for him to go beyond the horizon and to see a world where he can dominate because of the education system.”

Forde also stressed the importance of collaboration in giving young people the education and opportunities they need: “People appreciate it because the government cannot do it alone. There must be partnership, and the essential cause of partnership is being able to work together.”

He encouraged young people to embrace hard work, discipline and selflessness.

Trustee with the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust Mark Pendry also highlighted the growing need for assistance, saying the organisation had significantly increased its contribution because of rising requests.

Pendry said: “The call and the need has been a lot, and we’ve pledged over $100 000 towards this project alone, which encompasses our $350 000 donation to them annually. Our annual budget that we would normally set for back-to-school initiatives would be around $250 000; this year we’ve actually pledged and donated $500 000, so that gives you an idea that people are asking for assistance, and we’re here to help as best we can.”

He said requests were coming from various organisations, church groups, community groups and other non-profits, but the focus remained on the children.

“We’re here for the children. Education is the cornerstone of any society and for that matter any community, and giving children the opportunity and the start in life that they deserve is very, very important, and it’s part of what we strongly believe in.”

Co-sponsor Carib LPG’s finance manager Ian Mayers said: “At Carib LPG, we firmly believe that education is one of the most powerful tools for transforming lives and creating opportunities. By investing in our young people today, we are helping to build a brighter future for Barbados tomorrow. Our support of Eden Lodge Youth Charitable Trust reflects Carib’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and our belief that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed.”

Personal banking manager at Scotiabank Broad Street, Kim Grant, said the bank was pleased to partner with Eden Lodge Youth Charitable Trust, wished students success, and encouraged them to prepare for the new school year.

Deputy Director of Cloister Bookstore, Robert Griffith, said: “We would also like to ask all those businesses who are in a position to do so to reach out to this wonderful organisation so that they will be able to in the future to assist a lot more vulnerable families.”